Comments on: Small Business Advice: Consider The Quality of Your Work

By: Peter

Peter — Sun, 08 May 2011 22:30:14 +0000

This is a great example of making your passion your profession. Larry’s amazing. Woodworking is not only a cool hobby but can be a profitable business, too.

By: Homes In Henderson

Homes In Henderson — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 06:15:54 +0000

People who do a fast job and get away with crappy world, don’t get away with it for long. The bad quality of their work eventually catches up with them, and it will eventually take a huge toll on their business and customer base. I personally like to do the best job I can so I get more calls in the future!

By: Painted Desert real estate

Painted Desert real estate — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:18:41 +0000

I am starting my own business, and I focus on quality. Of course I LOVE what I do, alot. I do it mostly because I love it. Naturally if you love doing something you’ll put more effort and time into perfecting whatever it is your doing, rather than just getting it over with to make a buck.

By: Nutrition Degree

Nutrition Degree — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:11:53 +0000

I’m of the opinion that quality work like this sells itself. I know many craftsmen stay in business and thrive just through word-of-mouth advertising. I see many ideas I want to incorporate into my house and get recommendations from friends on who I can trust when I’m thinking about major remodels.

By: Trades

Trades — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:56:28 +0000

I think that we aren’t limited to just one calling and it’s great when one person is talented in different complementary skills, like design and woodworking.

By: cheap term paper

cheap term paper — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:28:32 +0000

He may be a designer, and from what you say, heâ€™s very talented at it (and thatâ€™s a good thing), but heâ€™s also a salesperson.

By: Mr Costello

Mr Costello — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:09:52 +0000

I offer something that everyone needs and so i think i stand out in the pack when it comes to looking for quality at a reasonable price. This is what separates me from the pack. And i can compete with the big name stores because i buy from were they buy from i just don’t have to charge you the consumers the high prices.The furniture industry is something that i have come to love. And i enjoy being able to help people and help them save a buck or two at the same time. check out my site http://www.aeasyplan.com

By: Polina

Polina — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:51:29 +0000

It sounds like a miracle, you know. The point that the way you think of yourself makes all the difference. Woodcarver and designer… Failure and Success… I’d love to meet somebody who’d tell me what I am thinking wrong about me:)

By: DiseÃ±o Web

DiseÃ±o Web — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:57:55 +0000

Is like music, the best bands are not necessary successful. Being talented and realize what you really are in your environment is a good start point but not enough. Great Promotion, a good marketing plan, keep in mind usability for improving your products and/or services, keeping a nice and polite contact with your customers (and possible customers too), being updated with the last news of your work – art universe, etc, etc. Of course many of us cant handle all. I think is just about realize that we really need more than talent to succeed, keep in mind all the points and just manage what we can really do great. For the rest we can hire someone.

By: Dawud Miracle

Dawud Miracle — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:31:44 +0000

Tom,
And how’s that working for you?

Karl,
Money is not everything – that’s for sure. It’s in clear that when you combine your passion with what you do for a living, making money becomes easier – and more interesting?

Dave,
So what drives and motivates you?

Mari,
Great point. So how do you stay inspired to do great work?

Strange,
Here, here! How do you balance high quality work with fair pricing?

Brooke,
Perfect. What did you go through in changing your role in your business?

By: Brooke

Brooke — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:20:29 +0000

WOW – this is so what I just went through. I have always considered myself a web designer. That was okay and parts I loved – but I wasn’t getting more business.

I have always said that I hated sales and didn’t want to cold call. To me, that is what selling was.

Well – now I am the sales/project manager. I have people that actually do all of the coding, seo, etc for me. I love it! Business has been great and I am so much happier!

People should stop worrying about titles and what they mean. Then they will see what they love to do!

By: Strange Frog

Strange Frog — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:34:35 +0000

Mari:
Same here, We’re a web design company. If we don’t create high quality work people don’t come back, and more importantly don’t recommend us.

By: Mari Adkins

Mari Adkins — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:41:23 +0000

I’m a writer. If I don’t consider the quality of what I’m doing, my work doesn’t sell. Period.

By: DaveMurr

DaveMurr — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:55:01 +0000

Love this question(s)

I think it is very important for people to discover what they are passionate about. What drives and motivates them?

@Josh

I know exactly where you are comming from. Though it sounds “old fashioned” – I would start with grabbing some paper and beging writing down some thing.

1st – start writing down all your skills – things you are technically good at.

2nd – write down all your interests – things you like doing, learning about, hobbies etc.

Now take both lists and circle the things you would do the rest of your life REGARDLESS if you got paid to do them.

After you’re done, check to see if there are similarities and any overlapping of what you circled. Write these down on what will be your passion list.

Now you have a good compass to take the next step. I’ve recently done this and it has helped – hope it helps you!

By: Karl Goldfield - Sales Training

Karl Goldfield - Sales Training — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:18:27 +0000

I watched a great video web conference today about finding your passion. The speakers talked about making your passion your professiona nd having a life not a career. You friend made taht choice and like many people never had to regret it.

In my role as a sales mentor and trainer, I focus a great deal of time helping people that do not have a passion for sales seeing that they should do something else. Monet is not everything.

Great post.

By: Tom Volkar / Delightful Work

Tom Volkar / Delightful Work — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:07:32 +0000

I have a natural gift for inspiring and encouraging others so life coaching was a no-brainer. I also love to rally folks around their empowerment so I’m now marketing coaching groups more.

By: Dawud Miracle

Dawud Miracle — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:26:41 +0000

Web Design,
How, then, do you manage work-life balance?

Sally,
Hey, this is a photo of his work. Beautiful, isn’t it?

Melaine,
I agree. And how do you balance what you want with what your customers want?

Josh,
Have you considered combining what you love what with what you do? Is there a way, for instance, to be a teach or consult on programming?

If not, what is one thing you’d love to be doing for a living?

J Richey,
They’re actually doing quite well. They’ve positioned themselves in two rather robust niches – high-end remodels and eco-friendly building. Can’t say they’re both recession-proof. But since they’re targeting people with disposable income, they continue to be very busy. Last I spoke with Larry, they have contracts through 2010.

James,
Listen to your friend. Sometimes it’s necessary to take work just to pay the bills. But your end game should be working with clients who recognize, need and can pay for your level of work. If you don’t have that now, reposition yourself and change your marketing strategy.

Andrea,
True. One thing small business owners often miss is that they are unique. They’re unique because of their various experiences. Learn how to leverage and integrate your life experiences into your work and you’ve got an advantage over those who don’t.

Sales Training,
It’s actually his business partner who’s the salesman. Yet you’re right. We have to consider how we’re going to sell what we have to offer. We have to know that people want – and need – it.

How are you doing that with your business?

By: Sales Training

Sales Training — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:46:14 +0000

Dawud, I agree that knowing your natural talents is key in developing a successful and rewarding life. But I had another thought as I read the entry about your friend and his design/woodworking business. He may be a designer, and from what you say, he’s very talented at it (and that’s a good thing), but he’s also a salesperson. I work with a lot of clients in the design community, and one of the things I work with them on is learning that–usually–their main job is to generate revenue (sales), they just design as a means to that end. From the sounds of it, the gentlemen in your article is doing well, so that must mean he has some real sales skill in addition to his design skill.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:48:19 +0000

Ah, I was just thinking about something similar the other day! All the other things I have worked at or dabbled in have indeed been the creative field. Put that together with web design and development and you get quite creative indeed. it really does open doors wider, and I also think the more varied your experiences, the better you can serve your clients.

By: James Kurtz III

James Kurtz III — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:05:56 +0000

I wrestle with this too, as I am trying to make a living as a graphic designer of quality work. However quite often a potential client will want to purchase my design work at a rate where I can not afford the time to provide a quality solution. Thus in the end the final product is not good; I am unhappy and the client is unhappy. I’m learning, much like your friend the carpenter/designer, that you have to stick to your niche and do what you love. Thanks for the post!